Wilmington, N.C. - The University of North Carolina Wilmington community is deeply saddened by the loss of our friend and colleague Frank Capra Jr. A film industry leader and a successful champion for film-making in North Carolina, Capra moved to Wilmington in 1997 to take the position of CEO at Screen Gems Studios.
Capra helped found UNC Wilmington's film studies program and served as a distinguished visiting professor. He taught several courses, including one on the business of film, which was highly sought after. He received an honorary doctorate from the university in 1999, and was named Citizen of the Year by the UNCW Alumni Association in 2007.
"Frank has been such a strong friend and supporter of UNC Wilmington and of the film studies program," said Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo. "He was always generous with his time and with his ideas, whether it was teaching, advising students or serving on numerous university boards. He wanted our students to be successful and to become part of a strong, thriving film industry in North Carolina. He will be greatly missed."
Lou Buttino, chair of the Department of Film Studies, said it is doubtful that UNCW would have a film studies program without the efforts of Frank Capra Jr.
"Frank approached the university about developing a program in film studies and helped it move from consideration by an advisory committee to a minor, then to a major and a full-fledged department," said Buttino. "Now it is one of the fastest-growing and most popular majors on campus, with more than 300 students.
"He was a very knowledgeable and beloved teacher. Without him, we would not have all of the terrific film students at UNCW winning filmmaking awards and becoming outstanding film scholars."
For the past 10 years, UNCW has sponsored a holiday screening of Capra's father's masterpiece film It's a Wonderful Life, with Capra as a host of the event. Clarence, the "angel-in-training" in the film, shows main character George Bailey how he has touched the lives of so many others in his town, just as Frank Capra Jr. has done in Wilmington.
"There is a part in the film where Clarence shows George Bailey just how much his life has mattered, that there would have been an awful hole if he had not been there," said Buttino. "There would be an awful hole in Wilmington and North Carolina if Frank Capra Jr. had not been here. He was one of a kind."
A special tribute to Capra will be given as part of this year's It's a Wonderful Life screening, which will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 21 in UNCW's Kenan Auditorium. In addition, the Wilmington film community along with the Department of Film Studies has created a scholarship fund in Capra's name. To contribute, please send a check made out to UNCW and note on the check that it is for the Frank Capra Jr. Film Studies Scholarship Fund. Checks should be sent to Marla Rice-Evans, University Advancement, UNCW, 601 S. College Road, Wilmington, NC 28403-5990.
